The 2007 World of Concrete was the national unveiling of Lura Enterprises's Lightning Strike Roller Screed system. Their claim that the screed is "the most innovative and versatile screed in the world today" was reinforced when the Lightning Strike was awarded the Expert's Choice Award in the Placing Tools and Equipment category at the nation's largest annual concrete construction event. Since then, the company has more than doubled its annual sales and sold systems as far away as Guam.
While manning the phones at the office, Dale Lura, received a call from Chris Rabbets with the Rocky Mountain Precast Company. The assumption around the office was that this was a company in Colorado with interest in the system. An internet visit listed Rocky Mountain Precast Company in Guam, a U.S. territory in the western Pacific Ocean.
Rabberts left his mailing address to receive for additional screed and Lura Enterprises product information while encouraged to visit Lura Enterprises for a hands on demonstration at the 2007 World of Concrete Show. Rabberts indicated the company would not be attending the show. Much to their surprise, the very first day of WOC, Chris approached Lura's booth with a myriad of questions about the Lightning Strike Roller Screed. With questions answered to his satisfaction, he shook hands with Dennis and the deal was done.
Returning to Fargo, Lura Enterprises shipped out their Contractors Package complete with a 50cc Honda gas motor. The package includes 20', 12', 6', and 3' screed sections, 18" and 6" wall plug, and three tripod stands for easier system set up. It offers contactors over 20 different combinations of lengths to fit most any pour.
From time to time Dennis checks back with customers that have purchased systems from his company, and Rabberts claims Rocky Mountain Precast is extremely pleased with the performance of the system. For Chris Rabbets, seeing the Lightning Strike in person, was believing!
Though the location of the buyer is exotic, the story isn't. Lura Enterprises boasts an unparalleled level of customer satisfaction. "One of our biggest strengths is our company's ability to modify our product to the individual needs of our customers, assures Dennis. Indeed the Lightning strike has not stopped evolving since its debut.
Originally designed with the electric model going solo, at WOC 2007, they displayed it with a 35cc Subaru gas motor. Contractor interest in the gas model and a bigger engine drove the Lura's toward upgrading to 50cc Honda instead. Improvements have been made to the drive shaft and motor wiring. The Luras encourage feedback. One engineer is currently creating fit-up ends for companies who'd rather use their own tubes, steel or aluminum, rather than buying sections. These factors and more contribute to Lightning Strike's growing popularity.
The Lightning Strike Roller Screed is quickly becoming an industry favorite to a broad range of concrete contractors. Whether it's pervious concrete, or exposed aggregate, pre-cast or just plain flat work, this screed is proving itself to be a versatile workhorse. Nothing on the market today offers all of these options.
Launching a new product that will be used to build, what may soon come to be known as one of the World's Greatest Wonders, is certainly no small feat. Lura Enterprises proudly sold two of their electric screeds to FlatIron Constructors Inc. one of the Design/Build Partners, for use in the final surfacing of the I-35W Bridge, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Tom Reger, Joe DeRasmi and Dave Schutta with the Cement Masons, Plasterers and Shophands JATC Local 633 in Minneapolis.
While attending a safety meeting, DeRasmi met Mick Wilson, Superintendent of FlatIron, and educated him on the benefits of the lightweight, electric screed. Convinced the tool would be an important attribute to completing the project on time, Wilson made the executive decision to purchase the Lightning Strike Screed after experimenting with the competition.
Wilson had tried other screeds before, but they were sometimes awkward to use. The typical two- hydraulic hose systems are cumbersome and easily hook on to anything lying out when dragged around the construction site. Additionally, the hydraulic power pack adds over two hundred pounds with the cart so it's very heavy to haul around.
Additionally, with the deadline demand of December of 2008 for bridge completion, the concrete must be poured inside a heated enclosure so as not to freeze in the early stages of the cure. A gas motor would give off carbon monoxide, so they wanted the electric. With the electric version of the Lightning Strike, safe indoor use is quickly available at their disposal. "They plan to start using the screed in roughly two weeks with its primary use will be to strike off the top surface of the bridge," explains Lura.
Tom Reger of JATC Local 633 called the Lightning Strike an "industry-wide advance in technology and worker safety." He is also proud to endorse a product line that is American-made and has helped get the Lightning Strike into other union training facilities aside from his own.
Available in both gas and electric, the electric model delivers all the power with the added ability to go indoors without worrying about carbon monoxide; providing a healthy and safe alternative for many pre-cast operations. Many electric model buyers want the gas version as well. Powered by a 50cc Honda engine, the gas powered ultra-light screed delivers plenty of power with the freedom from hoses or cords. In Lura's words, "It has been our experience that about 50% of all contractors that have purchased the electric for whatever reason also take the gas model when the opportunity arises."
"This year has seemed unimaginable at times," exclaims Dennis. On Oct 11, 2007, media and transportation officials gathered at the Monticello Apple Valley Ready-mix Plant to witness an actual pervious placement pour for architects, engineers and concrete contractors. The event included a power point presentation by Josh Edwards, on the application of pervious concrete and the effects of use in storm water run-off. The retention of geothermal heat in the concrete of larger urban areas, and reducing the "Heat-Island" effects that plagues larger cities was also discussed.
The Agriculture market is equally thrilled with the Lightning Strike Roller Screed. It's unprecedented capabilities for circular pours is catching on quickly. In late 2006, an Iowa grain bin contractor Todd Lundgren contacted Lura Enterprises requesting a product demonstration. Upon witnessing the ease of use for an interior circular pour, he bought one, plus another to sell to a fellow contractor. Convinced the Lightning Strike was an industry first, Todd Lundgren introduced Dennis Lura to Randy Holthaus of Growmark, Inc.
A regional ag-cooperative based in Illinois that provides agriculture- related products and services to the Midwest, Growmark, Inc. initially declined interest. Looking to diversify their product line, Holthaus previewed video footage of a grain bin pour on Lura Enterprises's website. The proof he needed was in the video. Growmark moved some product and made room to showcase the Lightning Screed at their annual Interchange Show featuring the products Growmark sells.
Rising concerns about the environment, as well as sewer/storm water savings fuels interest in pervious concrete. Pervious concrete is the wave of the future. Dennis says "It surprises us to hear his screed is "the cutting edge of concrete technology." "Consider us on the leading edge of technology? Between all three of us he has one college degree and that would be my son, the rest of us are just working stiffs. We're just a couple of guys from Fargo" Humble modesty is no shortcoming to the Luras.
To keep up on pervious applications, Lura Enterprises has worked not only to provide the best screed possible for pervious concrete, but has also put itself at the forefront of promotion. They construct pervious displays for their World of Concrete booths, and also work to bring the science behind pervious into the field. 80% of Lura Enterprises staff including Dennis, Dale and Jeremy Lura and John Rosenfeldt have all become Certified Pervious Concrete Technicians.
2008 promises more regional and national events for Lura Enterprises, including two booths at WOC. Visit booth SG20 in the new GREENSITE area, as well as in booth # O30126 in the main show. "It's like you're looking into the future and the future looks bright," summarizes Dennis. For more information visit: www.luraconcretescreed. com or call (701) 281-8989.